See the Plaque

This sad looking building is at the top of Appleby’s High Wiend (a wiend is a narrow street or alley, which could be easily closed to raiders). During the 19th century this, and the following three buildings, were all public houses. This one dates from 1677 and was once The Black Boy, a nickname for Charles II whose hair and complexion were very dark.

What I hope is quite evident is the gilt plaque on the wall. This was a Fire Insurance Plaque, with a number and the emblem of the insurance company, the Westminster – it has the Prince of Wales feather crest above a portcullis.
 
In the 18th and 19th century, before there was a public fire service, owners of buildings paid a fire company a fee and then, if there was a fire, the company’s own fire brigade would come out and use the plaque as a guide to signify that the building was insured and they could put out the fire. Fraught with complications I would have thought – fires that spread from one building to another etc. And of course people now collect them. 
 
A lovely sunny day in Appleby and the place was full of visitors, many having been brought in coaches and left to explore. They seemed to have mainly found the cafés.